Summary:
“My Last Duchess” is a dramatic monologue by Robert Browning, where the Duke of Ferrara speaks to an emissary about a portrait of his late wife. He reveals his arrogance and possessiveness as he recounts how he ordered the death of his wife, whom he perceived to be too easily pleased and overly friendly with others. The poem is set in the Duke’s private art gallery, where the portrait of the Duchess is displayed. Through his conversation, we learn that the Duke is not only an insecure and controlling individual but also a man who sees women as objects to be owned and controlled. The poem reveals the Duke’s narcissism and his belief in his superior status.
MCQs:
- Who is the speaker in the poem “My Last Duchess”? a) The Duke of Ferrara
b) The Duchess
c) A servant
d) The emissary
Answer: a) The Duke of Ferrara - What is the Duke showing the emissary in the poem? a) A painting of his late wife
b) A portrait of himself
c) A statue of his wife
d) A letter
Answer: a) A painting of his late wife - What does the Duke reveal about his late wife? a) She was cold and distant
b) She was too friendly and flirtatious
c) She was a great artist
d) She was very obedient
Answer: b) She was too friendly and flirtatious
Robert Browning - What did the Duke do to his wife? a) He divorced her
b) He sent her away
c) He had her killed
d) He remarried her
Answer: c) He had her killed - What is the primary theme of “My Last Duchess”? a) The love between husband and wife
b) The obsession with art
c) The abuse of power and control
d) The grief of losing a loved one
Answer: c) The abuse of power and control - Who is the Duke speaking to in the poem? a) His wife’s portrait
b) His servant
c) The emissary
d) His son
Answer: c) The emissary - What was the Duke’s attitude toward his wife’s smile? a) He liked it
b) He thought it was inappropriate
c) He did not notice it
d) He was proud of it
Answer: b) He thought it was inappropriate - What is the tone of the poem? a) Joyful
b) Melancholic
c) Arrogant and controlling
d) Romantic
Answer: c) Arrogant and controlling - What is suggested by the Duke’s final words in the poem? a) His sorrow over his wife’s death
b) His desire for more art
c) His belief in his own superiority
d) His longing for a new wife
Answer: c) His belief in his own superiority - What literary device is prominent in the poem “My Last Duchess”? a) Allegory
b) Dramatic monologue
c) Sonnet
d) Haiku
Answer: b) Dramatic monologue
| Question | Answer |
| Poem Name | My Last Duchess |
| Poet | Robert Browning |
| Year Written | 1842 |
| Year Published | 1842 |
| Poem Type | Dramatic Monologue |
| Verse Form | Rhymed Couplet |
| Setting | The Duke’s private art gallery, Ferrara, Italy |
| Main Character | The Duke of Ferrara |
| Theme | Power, control, jealousy, and the objectification of women |
| Tone | Arrogant, controlling, sinister |
| Famous Quote | “That’s my last Duchess painted on the wall.” |
| Narrative Voice | The Duke’s perspective (dramatic monologue) |
| Main Conflict | The Duke’s control over his wife and her subsequent death |
| Structure | 28 rhymed couplets |
| Legacy | One of Browning’s most famous dramatic monologues |